AEP Energy to build solar energy center in Ohio

AEP Energy, a unit of American Electric Power, has partnered with the city of Clyde, Ohio, to design, build, own and operate a 3.6 MW solar energy array. The city of Clyde will purchase all the electricity generated by the solar panels to help meet the energy needs of the city’s 3,000 municipal customers through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

The Clyde Solar Energy Center will be capable of powering 550 homes. The installation will be located in Clyde on 20 acres of city-owned land. Commercial operation is expected to begin in the first half of 2016.

“This project will provide the residents of Clyde with local access to clean, affordable renewable energy,” said Greg Hall, president, AEP Energy. “Additionally, this project will benefit the city of Clyde by providing an innovative, green way for the city to reduce its capacity, transmission and ancillary service obligations as an electric municipality.”

Clyde is home of the world's largest washing machine manufacturer, the Whirlpool Corp. The Whirlpool Clyde Division has been in operation on the same property for over 60 years.